I would feel dishonest using the hotel’s computers and then not paying. So I hang arond the computer lab and answer questions for members of our group. People feel as though I’m some kind of genius. I’m no genius. I just use common sense.
So we drove to Usulatan. On our way there we past a couple of pickup trucks full of people. John Thomas said he saw a small child’s coffin on the bed of the truck. He said the people were solemn faced. I mistakenly gave a wave to the crowd. I didn’t know any better. It was a good thing I didn’t take their picture.
We ate at a fast food chicken place in Usulutan. I asked for a can of Coke. When I got it, it had a dead fly on the side of it. It goes to show you that sanitation isn’t the same as in the US.
Jack warned us not to eat the lettuce, nor the fountain drinks. Terry accidentally knocked his fort on the floor and the waiter immediately gave him a new one.
I’m not sure what the local think of our cleanliness. We constantly ask for cokes with straws – which surprisingly they always have – even in the smallest podunk town.
After eating lunch we drove to Janet’s bakery in Usulutan. Since it was Good Friday she was gone.
In fact there were lots of people around the churches for Good Friday services.
Next we drove to the small town where our mission group went to last year – San Francisco. The rented church was small. Armando had the key. From what I understand the total membership here was small. It is amazing how their church facilities are pretty basic while we almost demand padded pews – these people get by on a dusty building with plastic yard chairs. Are we spending too much money on nice multi thousand dollar buildings? Probably it doesn’t take padded pews to worship God.
Next was on to San Agustin where a MJ group had gone right after the earthquake of 2001. There were several church members waiting for us at the building. We sang some songs with them. Afterwards, Jack, my dad, and David Shannon gave them words of encouragement. It was a very meaningful to know the MJ church had a hand in helping build this building. Making a difference. That’s what it is all about.
After saying our goodbyes to the church members we walked down to the city square – where we had setup a medical mission right after the earthquake of 2001. It had a shabby looking clock tower and basketball court. Our mission group slept in tents on the outdoor basketball court while solders guarded their stuff.
What was really funny was seeing a shabby looking video arcade on the square. Cows walked the streets in this town. There were remnants of the earthquake still lingering. The clock tower mentioned previously is still broken. I saw at least one house collapsed. Cracks in the buildings were prevalent.
I’ve seen plenty of adobe buildings. These are made out of dirt. Since it doesn’t rain much here, except for a few months of the year, these buildings weather decently. I’ve also seen shack made from tin metal and aluminum siding.
While driving in and around the countryside I’ve noticed that the country could easily be Tennessee or Kentucky in the summertime.
We had Pizza Hut pizza tonight. We took an airport shuttle to the airport and got our pizzas. I noticed there was a subway restaurant right beside it too.
There is a singing going on tonight, but I’m not going to it. I’m a bit tired and know that there’s a chance I’ll be there longer than I want to. I enjoying singing, but really only in certain circumstances – like church camp.
Speaking of church camp, this mission trip is like church camp – the only difference is that it is mostly all adults along. Instead of ministering to kids, we are ministering to the locals. I can understand why some people are hardcore about it, after all I’m probably hard core about church camp. I really don’t plan on coming EVERY year. We’ll see what happens when next year rolls around as to if I’ll plan on returning.
I don’t even want to think about packing. I’ve got some breakable stuff and need to take that into consideration. I felt bad about dropping almost $100 on souvenirs and then being asked to help with supporting our Latin American Missions. I hate feeling guilty.